Keep your cool if you suspect business has been hacked, expert says

PHOENIX — Do not rush to clean up your business network if you think you’ve been hacked.

Phoenix cybersecurity expert Michael Cocanower said keeping a clear head is crucial.

“If you suspect you may be the victim of a cyberattack, the steps you take in the first few minutes are critical,” he said.

“Disconnect the compromised PC from the network. The next thing that you want to do: Engage an IT professional specializing in cybersecurity to assess the situation.”

Cocanower said the next step is allowing your cyberinsurance company to take a look.

“You don’t want to immediately start fixing things when there’s been a cyberattack,” he said. “Some insurance companies have been known to deny claims if they aren’t given the opportunity to do a forensic investigation.”

IT Governance, a British cybersecurity blog, said in March cybersecurity attacks are growing – especially for healthcare companies.

A Wired article published Wednesday said U.S. company Exactis — which gathers information on consumers such as habits, hobbies and genders of persons’ children — exposed the data of 340 million Americans, nearly every adult in the country.